Blog Posting #15, September 22, 2008

INTRODUCTION TO THE FUNDAMENTALS

Without question, without fundamentals, no team or player can execute any defensive or offensive play against tough defense. But what do we mean by “fundamentals.” In his Pyramid of Success, Coach Wooden defines “skill” as, “The quick and proper execution of the fundamentals.” In other words, passing, shooting, jumping, receiving, cutting, and the rest of the fundamentals, should be done the right way (properly) and at high speed.

PROPERLY
One would think, by this time in basketball history, the mechanics of the fundamentals would be universally agreed upon. But they’re not. Yes, we teach players to take a step forward when making a chest pass; we all agree on that. But there is so much more if we’re talking about making a successful chest pass in a game situation. Completing a pass in a game requires deception. Coach taught us to not look at the intended target but, rather, to look away, and then quickly make the pass. Telegraphing a pass is trouble in the making.

We all agree on the “BEEF” method of shooting fundamentals (Balance, Eyes, Elbow, and Follow Through). But have you ever considered what Coach Wooden teaches about the head? He says, at the point of release, the player should slightly nod toward the target. Why? Because all parts of the body should be involved in launching the basketball directly toward the target. Many players move their head away from the hoop at release. Physiologically speaking, that movement actually works against the momentum of the ball. More accuracy can result when the head moves forward, ever so slightly.

QUICKLY
Coach Wooden has often said, over the years, he has had players that were great shooters but didn’t play much for him. The reason is, they took too long to shoot. Basketball is a fast moving game and, as we have covered in a previous posting, the offense must stay ahead of the defense, causing it to react rather than dictate where the ball goes. Therefore, offensive execution is dependent on quick movement of the basketball and players. Like the player that is a slow shooter, the offense will not get a good shot off if the fundamentals are not performed quickly. This requires teaching, balance, pivoting, jump stops, receiving, protecting, passing, and shooting, all at very high speed and under great duress.

CONCLUSION
As you are preparing for your first practice, start devising drills that, first drill in all the details of each fundamental and second, drills that put those skills to the test. If you can teach your team to execute at high speed, and against great pressure, without turning the ball over but, rather, make the play, you’ve taken one huge step toward success.

For the rest of the details on the fundamentals, look in Practical Modern Basketball, by John Wooden. You’ll be surprised how much you missed the first time you read it. The section on fundamentals, by the way, is the most important part of the book.